Community News

     With just about two weeks left before opening night, The Oswego Players are hard at work rehearsing for the upcoming musical `Gypsy.`

     The curtain will rise at the Frances Marion Brown Theater on July 4. The cast of 16 has been rehearsing for the past four weeks in preparation for the show. 

Director Inez Manor Parker chose the show “Gypsy” at last year’s party for their production of “Mame.” 

     “We were on a roll with doing single women,” Parker said. “It’s not like a regular show. People like musicals, they like that fun. It’s fun to hear the talent and see the talent.” 

     The Oswego Players have a long history in the community going back to 1938. They have been in the Frances Marion Brown Theater for 52 years and renovated the building into the theater it is today. 

     “We did every inch of it,” Parker said. Yet they’re adding new aspects all the time. “We’re getting brand new lights that are coming in and when Tyler hall closed, we were given 150 of their seats.” 

     The Oswego Players put on a musical once a year. Despite the somewhat adult content of “Gypsy,” the group does not think it is too risqué. 

     “Not in today’s world,” Parker said. “These women are fully clothed and they’re making fun of it. It’s not real burlesque.” 

     “You really can control those kinds of things,” Producer Tammy Wilkinson said. “How far you go with a show. Everyone knows the show, it’s a classic, when they come through the doors they pretty much know what they’re getting. We definitely keep our audience in mind.” 

     Also hard at work is Assistant Director and Choreographer Stephfond Brunson. He previously worked with the company last year choreographing “Mame” and was asked to continue on. 

     “The cool thing about being a dancer is that I love choreographing to the performer,” Brunson said. “After the auditions, I knew the cast and who I was working with. I’m really into the realism choreography. I don’t need to see Broadway kicks and legs. I’d rather have people in the audience think they can jump in and do it themselves.” 

     The Oswego Players get people from all over to come and audition and they try to get everyone they can into the cast. 

     “It’s a really nice, versatile cast,” Wilkinson said. 

     Added to the cast this year is Cathleen O’Brien Brown who will be taking on the iconic role of Mama Rose. Brown has worked on international tours including Phantom of the Opera, Into the Woods, 42nd Street and The Sound of Music. Mama Rose had always been a dream part for her. 

     “Her music is so intrinsic to who she is,” Brown said. “Every number she does there is some reason for her to sing it that pushes the plot along. It’s really not just a song for the sake of a pretty song. She’s really going through a lot of character stuff in every piece she does.” 

     There is a lot that goes into the production to get in ready for opening night, including the sets and costumes. The sets are being made by Ken Snow based on Parker’s design. There will be platforms on the stage as well as the orchestra, making this version of “Gypsy” very unique. 

     “Inez likes levels,” Wilkinson said. 

     “It gives it texture,” Parker added. 

     “Gypsy” is the newest in a 76-year tradition of the Oswego community. The Oswego Players are working and rehearsing hard to get everything ready for the big production. 

     “To me, it is real community theater,” Parker said. “And that’s what it should be, not just a single star here or there, everybody gets a chance. That’s what I love about this organization.”